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Order from Hardeman, Gardner's, or Wilbanks Apiaries?

Hello,
I am going to need to get bees for my OB hive. Has anyone had good/bad experiences with Hardeman, Gardner's, or Wilbanks Apiaries? I am proboly going to get a 2 pound package. Thank you for any input!!!
Have a great night!
Beesilly

When I was getting Italians a few years back, I loved Wilbanks. Nice people and what a great operation.

Hardeman's has Russian's, even if they are called hybrids, and I have dealt with them for years. Good ol' boys! John sitting on his recliner after a hard days work, makes good conversation.

I never dealt with Gardners, which I understand is the old york bee co. I now think that they somehow bought out Shuman's. I loved Shumans place. I never seen a cleaner or smoother operation than Shuman's.

Overall satisfied with Hardemans

I ordered from Hardemans in 2007. Was unhappy at first becuase of delays, but when I came to understand the nature of the delays (weather, large orders to fill) I feel I was a little more understanding.

They are old-school, do not do email or notifications of delay or anything like that, BUT, once I got my bees I was very satisfied for the most part. One queen was a drone layer, and they sent quickly me a replacement as soon as I talked with them about it.

I am very happy with the bess I got from them, especially the 'some-what Russians.' On a side note, the Russians I got from them were nearly black...

Hardeman is unacceptable. We had ordered queens in 2006 for 2007 for a specific date and paid up front. They told us that they were behind etc, a fellow beekeeper called them up and ordered 200 packages, drove down and picked them up the next day, but they couldn't deliver our 50 queens. Luckily the guy that got the 200 packages was not impressed with the queens, had 20% droan layers, 30% were superceded shortly after they started laying and the majority of the rest swarmed the next spring. The 50 queens we got followed about the same average, a lot of work invested for no return.

Gardners

I have used them for years. I pick up from there location. Very freindly, staff. I had some questions about SHB problems and he took about 45 minutes out of his busy day to help show me some techniques and ideas. Hard to find that any more. Very much impressed my 13 year old son aswell. Will allways do bussiness with them.